By John Umeh
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially lifted the state of emergency earlier declared in Rivers State, paving the way for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule to resume their constitutional duties on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the President declared that calm has returned to the oil-rich state after months of political turbulence.
Peace Restored, Emergency Ends at Midnight
According to Tinubu, the emergency order will lapse at midnight today, marking the formal end of federal intervention in the state’s governance.
The statement partly read:
“It gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.”
Background to the Suspension
The Rivers political crisis escalated in recent months due to the prolonged conflict between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The impasse led to a breakdown of governance in the state, prompting President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the Assembly to restore order.
With peace efforts now deemed successful, the President has restored full democratic governance to the state.
